Choosing the best treatment for your needs
Which treatment to choose?
At Hart Aesthetics , we understand that skincare is an investment. Understanding each treatment will benefit this investment in the long run. Knowledge is power, and knowing what each treatment entails and how it works will ensure that you choose the right investment for your specific skin needs.
Note that all our treatments are conducted by a Registered Medical Doctor with accredited Aesthetic qualifications and experience.
Requently asked Questions
What are Botulinum Toxin injections?
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, sometimes referred to as “Botox” by patients, is an injectable that temporarily reduces or eliminates facial fine lines and wrinkles. It can last on average 3-4 months. Having said that, there are a multitude of factors that can influence the longevity of Botox, some include anxiety levels, hormones and activity just to name a few.
Botulinum Toxin paralyse the injected muscle area to prevent further wrinkles from developing and assist with fading already present wrinkles.
How many treatments and how often?
In order to maintain a long term youthful look it is ideal to do the procedure every 3 months.
Treatment is only done once every 3 months including a two week post treatment top up treatment to ensure full effect is achieved.
How is the Treatment applied?
- Botulinum Toxin is injected into the desired muscles. The amount of injection sites will be determined after an examination from the doctor. This also differs from person to person. However, we always advice a estimate suggestion of 30-40 units per desired area for optimal results. See below what is units and how it works…
What are units and how does it work?
From a more technical aspect, a unit equals 0.01ml. Because only very small amounts of Botox is sufficient for the desired results, the measurements are referred to as units as suppose to 0.01ml.
From a anatomy aspect, one injection site is usually injected with 0.05ml (5 units). We suggest that 30-40 units are injected in any given one area of the face. This suggest that an area will have 6-8 injection sites which is an sufficient amount to target the one area`s muscles.
With regards to facial areas, the most common requested areas are forehead ( one area= 30-40 units), Frown (one area = 30-40 units) and crows feet around eyes (one area= 30-40 units). All three of these areas done at the same time will require 80-100 units.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
What must I do Prior to Treatment?
- For 3-5 days before treatment, avoid blood thinners (including Advil and aspirin) and fish oils. Any blood thinning medication can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after your Botox treatment. If you need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, take Panado instead. (Talk to your doctor if you take prescription blood thinners, which can sometimes be paused for Botox.)
- To further lower your risk of bruising, avoid alcohol for a few days before your Botox injections.
- Pause your retinol regimen for two days before Botox
What must I do on the day of Treatment?
Finally, on the day of treatment, it’s a good idea to eat a healthy breakfast. You want your body to be operating at 100% before treatment to help prevent side effects. Having food in your belly can also help to prevent light headedness during your injections.
What must I do Post Treatment?
- Leave your treatment area alone. Avoid any physical pressure, laying down on your face, or rubbing on the area of injection for a few days. You don’t need to avoid making any facial expressions, however; frowning, smiling, and other facial expressions can help encourage your Botox results to show up sooner!
- Don’t lie down for the first few hours after your Botox.
- Wait 24 hours to work out or exert yourself after Botox. By raising your blood pressure, exercise can both increase your risk for bruising or swelling and increase the chances of the product spreading rather than remaining in the area your injector intended.
- Avoid UV exposure and excessive heat. Sun exposure can prolong redness or swelling after Botox, so protect your skin with sunscreen .
- Also avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, or other activities that involve lots of heat.
- Don’t drink alcohol for 24 hours after injections as it can increase the risk of bruising.
- Continue to avoid blood thinners for 24 hours after Botox.
- Wait two days to re-introduce retinol into your skincare routine.
How do I manage swelling and bruising after Botox?
To reduce swelling and bruising after Botox, apply an ice pack in 15-20 minute intervals to the treatment area within the first 24 hours after treatment. You may also apply an arnica-based topical ointment to help reduce bruising, swelling, and soreness. And, of course, avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours!
What must I do if I am unsure?
Contact us for any questions.
Bear in mind that Botox takes 2 weeks before full effect is achieved.
Some muscles are stronger than others. This will cause the Botox to take effect at different intervals, so some interesting muscle expressions might be possible and is very normal. This should subside after the 2 week period.
Please note that if you do need a follow up treatment this can only be done soonest after 2 weeks. Simply Whatsapp us should some muscles require a top up treatment and we will book you in soonest available appointment slot. Note that this is INCLUDED in the price. Having said that, top up treatments can ONLY be done in 2-4 weeks after initial treatment was performed, thereafter unit prices will apply
Dermal Fillers
What must I do Prior to Treatment?
One Week Prior to Dermal Fillers (Especially Lip fillers)
- Avoid blood thinning over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and Advil.
- Avoid supplements, including St. John’s Wort, Gingko biloba, primrose oil, garlic, ginseng, and Vitamin E.
2 Days Prior to Injections
- Avoid topical products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinol, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, or any “anti-aging” products.
- Avoid waxing, bleaching, tweezing, or using hair removal cream on the area to be treated.
- Do start taking Arnica two days prior to the procedure. (This is not required, but it will help to lessen bruising.)
24 Hours Prior to Injections
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior.
General Recommendations
- If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another eruption of cold sores. Please let your physician assistant know if you are prone.
- Do not use dermal fillers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, are allergic to any ingredients, or suffer from neurological disorders. Please inform us if you have any questions about this prior to your treatment.
Liquid Facelift
What must I do Prior to Treatment?
- 7 Days before treatment, do not ingest blood thinning medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Advil.
- If you have a cardiovascular history, please check with your doctor before stopping the use of blood thinners.
- Avoid herbal supplements, such as Garlic, Vitamin E, Ginkgo Biloba, St. John’s Wort, and Omega-3 capsules.
- 24 Hours before treatment, do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- If you have a history of Herpes or cold sores, a course of anti-viral medication is recommended.
What must I do on the day of Treatment?
Finally, on the day of treatment, it’s a good idea to eat a healthy breakfast. You want your body to be operating at 100% before treatment to help prevent side effects. Having food in your belly can also help to prevent light headedness during your injections.
- Please come to the office without make-up, creams, gels, or lotions on treatment areas.
- To maximize your comfort during the procedure, a topical anesthetic may be applied.
- To ensure a smooth and even correction, your provider may massage the area(s) treated, which may cause a temporary, minimal amount of redness to your skin.
What must I do Post Treatment?
- 24 Hours after you can resume exercise and apply makeup.
- Avoid extended UV exposure until any redness/swelling has subsided. Be sure to apply an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
- Massage the areas treated in a circular motion 5 times a day, for 5 minutes each, for 5 days after treatment.
- Wait a minimum of 2 weeks (or as directed by your provider) before receiving laser treatments.
- You may take Panado if you experience any mild tenderness or discomfort.
- You may apply an ice or cold gel pack to the area(s) treated (avoiding pressure) as this helps reduce swelling and the potential for bruising.
How do I manage swelling and bruising after Treatment?
Ice (but avoid firm pressure) for 15 minutes up to 3 times the day of treatment
You may take Panado if you experience any mild tenderness/discomfort. And, of course, avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours!
- You may experience mild tenderness or a stinging sensation following the injection.
- Redness and swelling are normal. Some bruising may also be visible.
- Depending upon the area(s) treated and product(s) used, you may feel “firmness” in the treated area(s) for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. Over time, the area(s) will soften and “settle”.
After the treatment, bruises and some swelling may develop; they will disappear automatically. Sometimes the treated area may feel a bit strange due to the anesthetic; this feeling will subside within a few hours. It is important that you properly protect any bruises that you may have. Under the influence of sunlight, a bruise can become discolored or remain visible longer. You can use cold compresses (cold packs) against the swelling. As of day two you may feel some muscle pain in your jaws for a number of days, which can even result in difficulty opening your mouth (wide). This is normal and will improve within a few days.
Tips
Schedule your Sculptra at least 2 weeks prior to a special event which you may be attending, such as a wedding or a vacation. Results timing from the Sculptra will differ. Also bruising and swelling may be apparent in that time period. Sculptra does take longer to see results so plan accordingly with your provider.
Please note, Sculptra does not require a follow up treatment. It is recommended that 3 individual treatments are done for optimal results. These 3 treatments should be done 2 weeks apart from each other. Full prices will apply for each treatment done.
Microneedling
What must I do Prior to Treatment?
- Avoid Accutane (Like Roaccutane) in the six months prior to beginning your treatment sessions.
- Do not use topical agents that may increase the sensitivity of your skin such as retinoids, exfoliants, topical antibiotics or acids 5-7 days prior to your treatment.
- Do not take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, Asprin, or Advil for at least 3 days prior to your microneedling session. These will interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical for your skin rejuvenation.
- Avoid IPL/Laser procedures, unprotected sun exposure, or sunburn for at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure.
- No waxing, depilatory creams, or electrolysis to the area being treated for 5-7 days prior.
- Do not shave the day of the procedure to avoid skin irritation. If there’s dense hair present in the treatment area, shave the day before you arrive for your appointment.
- If you’re prone to cold sores, take an antiviral agent for 2 days prior to and the day of the treatment.
- Avoid blood thinning agents for one week prior because bruising is a common side effect of microneedling.
What must I do on the day of Treatment?
- Your skin will be cleaned so it’s free of lotion, oil, makeup, powder, or sunscreen.
- You will be asked to inform your skin care specialist about any relevant changes in your medical history and of all the medications you’re taking.
- Your specialist will ask if there are any cosmetic tattoos in the treatment areas.
- Topical lidocaine will be applied to your skin.
- The microneedling treatment is an in-office procedure that typically takes up to 60 minutes to complete, followed by light therapy.
What must I do Post Treatment?
- Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications for one week after the procedure.
- Do not use ice on your face, and avoid using arnica. These may interfere with the natural inflammatory process that’s critical for your skin rejuvenation.
- Avoid sun tanning and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks. After 24 hours, always use sunblock (30 SPF or higher) and wear a hat if you’re outside.
- Use a painkiller, such as Panado, if you experience any soreness.
How do I manage swelling and bruising after Treatment?
Ice for 15 minutes up to 3 times the day of treatment
You may take Panado if you experience any mild tenderness/discomfort. And, of course, avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours!
Are there any other after effects?
A sunburn-like effect is normal. Your skin may feel tight, dry or sensitive to touch. Treat the skin gently by washing it with a gentle cleanser, cool water, and using only your hands to pat dry no earlier than 4 hours after treatment.
Some redness may also be present and in some cases, patients may experience slight bruising that can last for 5-7 days and temporary swelling for 2-4 days.
Tips
Schedule your Microneedling at least 2 weeks prior to a special event which you may be attending, such as a wedding or a vacation. Results timing from the Microneedling will differ and we suggest 3-4 treatments 2 weeks apart for optimal results. Also bruising and swelling may be apparent in that time period.
General Information
Payments
- We accept debit and credit cards.
- We accept cash.
- We DO NOT accept EFT or E-wallet payments.
Clinic Ethic
- Please attempt to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time, this will allow ample time to fill in information forms.
- Please inform the clinic at least 24 hours before your appointment if you will be unable to attend, this will ensure that we can fill your time slot with clients that are currently on our waiting list.
- Please ensure that all questions that you might have for the doctor are asked during your allocated time slot to avoid clients located after your time slot from waiting.
- Please inform us before hand if you are on any chronic medication or have illness or disease so that we can advice accordingly if your desired treatment is right for you.
- Please give us feedback after treatments, whether it is questions, queries, concerns or compliments. This will assist us in creating a even better experience at our clinics.
Stay informed
- We suggest that clients read all our pre and post treatment suggestions .
- We highly recommend that clients research a desired treatment properly before undergoing treatment to be aware of possible complications and side effects.
- All clients will be required to sign a consent form before treatment to acknowledge that they are aware of the risks and side effects of the specific treatment.
